The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1887-06-08

those sieges in which he thought him
self irresistible, he had eventually fallen un
der the dominion of genuine passion, and
was now making n fair and open struggle
to obtain Miss Ediths hand in marriage,
but the young lady seemed to care less for
him than ever.
This information, which he, gathered by
bits, gave Rolfe plenty of matter for thought.
He was amazed that he could have ever har-
bored the suspicious he did in regard to Miss
Craydocles relations with Lord Creighton,
and thought of his conduct with bitter re-
morse. If only there were some way in
which he could show his contrition and hui
mility! As to ever again entertaining any
hopes of her regard, he did not think of it for
amoment. He could not bear to contemplate
the idea of preparing for himself such an
other terrible humiliation as he had before
sustained. lie would do what he could to
assist his former patron, he would extract
what pleasure he could from his stay, and
he would go back TO Western Maryland and
try to forget all sentimental woes in the ex-
elements and activities of his life there.
So the man proposed; but the woman dis
posed matters otherwise.
A party of English visitors from Annapo-
lis were to be entertained Mt the manor ON
Christmas Day and the neighboring gentry
were coming over to meet them. Although
there was to be grand ball on Christmas
night at the manor-house, yet for the enter
tainment of the English visitors, there was
TO be fox-hunt in the afternoon. Our robust
ancestors could endure such fatigues. They
could ride thirty miles in n fox-hunt, put up
at the nearest mansion, and be cordially well
come, and spend the night in dancing or at
the card table. On the afternoon of the day
before Christmas the Annapolis party arrived,
the ladies of the party in coach and four,
with livered outriders. And now all was
hustle at the manor-house, and its long, one
story wings and its out-buildings. Servants
scampered up and down the stairs, and the
cook developed into an autocrat that it
would have been dangerous for the Gar him
self to NEEDLE with. Old Maryland houses
were never full, were there twenty persons
for each room. 1t was a wonder how the
ladies, packed together us they were, had
space TO get up those monstrosities of cos
tune and hair dressing which the fashion of
the day required. Was it to give her guests
more room that Miss Edith had come down
stairs in the dusk of the evening, before sup
per was ready, and was it to revive her frame
in the bracing evening air that she had
wrapped her cloak about her and come out
in the cold porch?
Captain John Rolfe was walking up and
down in the shade Of the long porch, prefer
ring its chill seclusion to the noise and hustle
within. He was thinking of the events of a
Christmas Eve three years ago. Miss Cray
docke gave a start of surprise ut seeing him.
81 felt rather faint" she explained, "and
thought I'd come out for breath of fresh
air.
"The negroes have made great fires in
honor of Christmas, although the weather
does not call for such, and 1t is indeed warm
indoors, said Captain Rolfe stopping in his
walk and standing by her side against the
railing.
Some conversation followed, but 1t was
marked by effort, and there were pauses Of a
length unusual where Miss Craydocke was
For once in her life, at least Miss Edith
knew what cowardice was but she gathered
up her faculties and began the attack.
"Itis just three years ago since you handed
me that beautiful poem of yours"
Rolfe confronted her in q moment, shame
faced and apologize He hoped that Miss
Edith would forgive the folly and presump-
ton of his conduct then. He had often been
deeply chagrined thinking of it, ETC., etc.
Oh no, indeed, it was she that must ask
forgiveness. And then she made her speech
how she had often reproached herself for
her meanness, how she had--oh, so bitterly |
regretted that she should have replied with
such rudeness to an honest offer of affection
"For you did love me then, didn't your"
she said in tone of innocent curiosity.
'Iloved you madlyr' said Rolfe with fer
vor and emphasis.
"And now you look back upon that feeling
as a folly, and deride it. How mems natures
change when they go out into the world !"
Rolfe broke down. "God help me-" he
groaned, II love you more madly than ever.
Forgive my presumption, Miss Edith" he
hastily went on; ''it shall not trouble you.
shall soon be away from here in the West,
and shall never offend you more" =